Circuit closer for alarms



CIRCUIT CLOSER FOR ALARMS Filed NOV- 28, 1925 O A I I I I I I attozmn:

Patented Dec. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES HARRY CAPPELLANTI, OF MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA.

CIRCUIT CLOSER FOR ALARMS.

Application filed November 28, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Haney arrnrmnri. a citizen of the United States, residing at Morgantown, in the county of Monongalia and State of lVest Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Circuit Closers for Alarms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas flow alarms for automatically notifying a consumer when the supply of gas is shut off, and has particular reference to an improvement upon the gas flow alarm shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 885, filed July 31, 1923.

It is Well known that gas burners are often left lighted in buildings for illuminating or other purposes, and that for various reasons the flow or supply of gas is interrupted or cut off. When the supply of gas is thus interrupted, the burners are automatically extinguished, and when the sup ply of gas is continued again, the same escapes through the burners into the building so as to result in a waste of gas, the occurrence of an objectionable odor therefrom, and even endangering of the lives of the persons in the building.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide approved means for immediately automatically notifying the occupants of a dwelling when this discontinuation of the supply of gas takes place, so that the burners may be turned off before the supply of gas again restored, and so that the escape of gas through the burners will be prevented.

Another object 0:" the invention is to pro vide an alarm device which may be very cheaply and easily installed without the requirement of special skill.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the above kind, which embraces the desired qualities of simplicity and durability of construction as well as efficiency in operation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a gas flow alarm of the above kind embodying electrical signalling means having improved brake motor operated circuit closing means under the controlling influence of the gas pressure or flow.

.Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination, and arrangement of parts, herein- Serial No. 677,430.

after more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and claimed:

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

The figure is a view partly diagrammatic, with parts shown in vertical section and parts shown in elevation, of a gas line equipped with an alarm constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 5 indicates an ordinary gas supply pipe through which the flow of gas is controlled by means of a valve, not shown. The outlet end of the pipe 5 is externally threaded and screwed within the branch 7 of a multiway fitting which has a lateral branch 8 provided with means generally indicated at 9 for connection with a burner.

As shown clearly in Figure 1, the outlet end of the pipe 5 projects within the charm ber of the fitting between the ports 7 and 8 and is open at both ends. A bell shaped piston 9 is slidably mounted in the outlet end of the pipe 5 and the latter is provided with a lateral fork 10 adapted to be closed y the bell shaped piston 9 when the latter is in its normal lowered position which it assumes by gravity when there is no gas pressure in the supply pipe 5. Thus, when the gas pressure is shut off in the line 5, the piston S) assumes a closed position by gravity to close the port 10 and is adapted to be raised by said pressure within the pipe 5 when the same is resumed so as to uncover the port 10 and permit the free How of gas through the fitting from the pipe 5 to the burner.

The inulti-way fitting also includes a port 11, which is opposed to the port 7 and onto which is threaded the lower end member 12 of a casing 12 of the alarm mechanism spring motor. The port 11 is closed by means of a plug 13 so as to prevent entrance of the gas into the casing 12, and this casing 12 contains a spring escapemeut controlled motor generally indicated at M.

As shown in my above mentioned co-pending application, the spring motor embodies a spring adapted to be wound by a suitable key, which spring is adapted to rotate a gear 15 that is operatively associated with an eseapement wheel through a reduction gearing, generally indicated at 18. As is also shown in my above mentioned co-pending application, the escapement wheel is associated with an escapement lever in a well known manner, which eseapement lever carries a fixed hammer 20, the tree upper edge of which is provided with a head 21 and adapted to vibrate when released.

A rod 2% is rigidly attached to the piston 9 and extends upwardly through the plug 13 where its upper end is impinged against the under side of an arm 25 that is rigid with a lever L that normally engages the lower end port-ion of the hammer 20 for preventing swinging of the latter, when the piston 9, rod 24, and arm are raised as shown by full lines in Figure 1. On the other hand should the pressure in the supply line 5, be discontinued for any reason. the piston 9 will be allowed to lower by gravity for releasing the rod 2 1; from the arm and thereby permitting the lever 19 to release from the hammer 20 so that the latter may freely vibrate under the actuat-- ing influence of the spring which operates the gearing 18. The construction thus far described is substantially the same as that set forth in my above mentioned co-pending application.

The present invention embodies the use of a bracket composed of a tubular clamp member 26, having means, such as a screw 27 passing through ears 28 provided on the inner end of said clamp 26 for "fastening the latter onto the outer end of the fitting upon which the casing 12 is mounted the outer end of the clamp member 26 being provided with a rigid upwardly extendingtubular arm 29 of flattened form, as shown clearly by comparison of Figures 1. 2. and 4. The upper end of the arm 29 is closed by means of a plate 30 formed of suitable insulating material and having a central plug portion 31 fitting into the upper end o't sai d arm as shown. This plate 30 has a pair o'l openings in which are secured a pair of spaced binding posts 33 and to which are re spectively attached the w res and 36. ire connects to a terminal 37 ot a suitable step-down transtormer 38. the oth terminal of which is indicated at 35) and is connected by means of a wire 40 with on terminal 4.1 of? an electric bell 42 ot conventional :Form embodying a resonant shell 43 adapted to be struck by a vibratory hammer 4.4. The other terminal 4? of the bell 42 is connected to the wire 36 and thus the bell 42 and transformer 48 are elcctricallv connected in series in a normally open .i cuit which may be closed by bridgi 'ie; the binding posts and 34. The feed wires 4. of the transformer 38 may carry a suitable plug for engagement in the socket ot an ordinary house wiring system.

The hammer 20, lever L. arm and rod 24 are located rearwardly ot the motor M and the casing 12 is provided w h a remwable closure at the rear thereof for permit ting ready access to these parts mentioned. as located rearwardly of said motor M.

An opening is provided in one side of the casing 12 in a horizontal plane above the cap 30, and in a vertical plane between the binding posts 33 and 3st, and this side of the casing is form d. with an outwardly extending lateral boss 4:? that is hollow and surrounds said opening in the casing 12 and provides means for slidahly carrying a horizontally movable plunger rod 4-8. As shown clearly in Figures and 5. the bore of the boss 47 01 substantially oval form. and the plur er rod 18 is of similar cross section, so that rotation of the plunger rod 48 is prevented. The inner end of the plunger rod 4-9 is disposed n the path ot the hammer head 41 and suitably fixed upon the outer edge of the plunger rod 48 is a contact bridging element 4.) that is preferably tormed ot a. strip of spring metal, and that is substantially U-shaped as shown clearly in Figure (3. The contact bridging member 4!) has its central portion suitably secured to the outer end of the plunger rod 4.8 such as by means of soldering or the like, and the legs of said bridging member 49 are arranged in diverging relation and. normally extended away from the sides of the plunger rod 48 as shown clearly in Figure 2. Thi allows the resilient legs of the bridging element 1'!) to be forced together as the same pass between the binding post or contact u'iembers 3 3 and 34- so as to effect a good eleC- trical connection between said binding posts 33 and when the plunger rod 48 is forced outwardly for closing the circuit including the transformer 38 and bell, 42.

hen the is under pressure in the supply pipe the piston 9 s raised to the tul line position shown in igure 1. so as to cause upward swinging movement of the arm therel.- tilting the lever l] for holding the hammer "20 in the position shown hr tull lines n said Figure I. he plunger rod -19 is me uuallv forced into the casing 12 with its inner end in eontaet with. the hannner 21 and w th the ln'idging element 4.) retracted from between the binding posts 33 and 34. As long as the pressure is sustained within the pipe 5, the parts remain in this position so that the circuit including the bell 42 is opened. on the other band. should the pressure n the supp y line he d sw-ontimied for any reason. the piston 9 wi l he allowed to lower by gravity for releasing the rod 24: from the arm 2:") and thereby causing the le ver T1 to he disengaged from the hammer 20. thus permitting said hammer to vibrate under the actuating influence oi the spring operated gearing 18 that is escapement controlled as above mentioned. llpon outward movement of the hammer 20. the latter forces the plunger rod 4-8 outwardly so as to move the bridging element 19 into the space between the binding posts and 34: and into an engagement with adjacent sides of the lat When this takes place, the posts and effectively electrically connected so as to close the circuit including the bell 42 ant. to cause operation of the latter for immediately notifying occupants of the building that the supply of gas has been discontinued and that the burners in the building should be inspected and if any were lighted that they should be turned off. When this is done no gas will escape into the building upon the resumption of the supply of gas to the burners, the currents of which will cause the piston 9 to again rise for engaging the rod 2% with the lever 25, and swinging the latter and the lever L for holding the hammer 20 against further operation in the position shown by full lines in Figure 1. When tl e hammer :20 is thus engaged bv the lever L, the plunge 48 may be manually reset or forced inwardly of the casing 12 for bridging the circuit including the bell as so that further operation of said bell will not be had. From the above, it will be seen that the alarm will continue to ring until the lunger rod 48 is reset for thereby conipelling attention to the alarm.

From the above description, it is believed that the construction and operation, as well as the advantages of the present invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, it being noted that by reason of the use of the wires 35 and 36, the bell 42 may be placed at any desired point remote from the bracket 29 and casing 12 as found most desirable and convenient in use of devices of this character.

It will be understood that the wires 35 and 40 of the device may be connected to a bat' tery in buildings where electric systems are not installed, in which case the transformer 36 will be eliminated.

VVha-t I claim as new is:

1. A device of the class described comprising a multiway fitting having a supply pipe projecting into the interior of the same through one port thereof, the inner end of the supply pipe being further provided with a lateral discharge port, a piston slidable in the inner end of the supply pipe, a casing mounted upon the fitting and containing a spring operated escapement controlled vibratory hammer, a rod projecting upwardly from said piston into said casing, an arm pivoted in the casing and having a rigid lever engageable with the hammer for holding the latter against vibration when the piston is raised by pressure within said gas supply pipe, said piston and rod being adapted to normally lower under the influence of grav it-y when the supply of gas is discontinued in the supply line for permitting said arm to lower for moving the lever fixed thereto out of engagement with said hammer whereby the latter will be allowed to vibrate under the action of said spring operated escapcment con rolled mechanism therefor, a bracket carried by the fitting and having a pair of spaced contacts, connected in a circuit including an electric bell, and means carried by the casing and operable by and upon vibration of the hammer for bridging said contacts to close said circuit.

2. A device of the class described comprising a n'njf'i-way fitting having a supply pipe projecting into the interior of the same through one part thereof, the inner end of the supply pipe being further pro idcd with a lateral discharge port, a piston sliduble in the inner end of the supply pipe, a casing mounted upon the fitting and containing a spring operated escapen'ient controlled vi. bratory hammer, a rod projecting upwardl from said piston into said casing, an arm pivoted in the casing and having a rigid lever engageable with the hammer for holding the latter against vibration when the piston is raised by pressure within said as supply pipe, said piston and rod being nth ted to normally lower under the influence of gravity when the supply of gas is discontinued in the supply line for permitting said arm to lower for moving the lever lixed thereto out of engagement with said hammer whereby the latter will be allowed to vibrate under the action of said spring operated escapement controlled mechanism therefor, a bracket carried by the fitting and having a pair of spaced contacts, connected in a circuit including an electric bell and means carried by the casing and operable by and upon vibration of the hammer for bridging said contacts to close said circuit, said last named means comprising a horizontal longitudinally slidable plunger rod projecting through the casing in the path of the hammer, anl a resilient bridging element secured to the outer end of the plunger element and movable between and into engagement with adjacent sides of said contacts.

3. A. device of the class described com prising a multi-way fitting having a supply pipe projecting into the interior of the same through one port thereof, the inner end of the supply pipe being further provided with a lateral discharge port, a piston slidable in the inner end of the supply pipe, a casing mounted upon the fitting and containing a spring operated escapement controlled vibratory hammer, a rod projecting upwardly from said piston into said casing, an arm pivoted in the casing and having a rigid lever engageable with the hammer for holding the latter against vibration when the piston is raised by pressure within said supply pipe, said piston and rod being adapted to normally lower under the influence of gravity when the supply of gas is discontinued in the supply line for permitting said arm to lower for moving the lever fixed thereto out of engagement with said hammer whereby the latter will be allowed to vibrate under the action of said spring operated escapement controlled meehanism therefor, a bracket carried by the fitting and having a pair of spaced contacts, connected in a circuit including an electric bell, means carried by the casing and operable by and upon vibration of the hammer for bridging said contacts to close said circuit, said brackets comprising a tubular clamping member for detachably fastening the bracket to the outer end of said fitting, and an. upstanding hollow arm rigid with the outer end of said tubular clamp, a plate of insulating material covering the upper end of said tubular arm and including a plug portion fitting into the latter, said contact comprising screw binding posts supported in spaced relation and projecting up wardly from said insulating cap.

t. A device of the class described including a pair of contacts arranged in an electric circuit, a switch member operable to engage said contacts to close the circuit,

and means for operating said switch member, having a spring operated escapement control vibratory hammer, adapted to engage and operate the switch member in the vibrating movement thereof, a holding member adapted to engage said hammer and prevent vibration thereof, and a fluid flow operated means, for operating said holding lever.

5. A device of the class described including a pair of contacts arranged in an electric circuit, a switch member operable to engage said contacts to close the circuit, and means for operating said switch member having a spring operated escapement controlled vibratory hammer, adapted to engage and operate the switch member in the vibrating movement thereof, and a fluid flow operating means for controlling and preventing the vibration of said hammer and the operation of said switch member thereby, under the action of the escapement controlled operating spring.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY CAPPELLANTT 

